How much to charge?

[JennWith2Ns]

What is an average rate per word for blog posts/articles for private clients?

[jwinter]

From my experience it depends on the writer and what is a good rate to you. If it helps I base mine on three things.

1) What is the topic? If it is something I can do quickly and easily then I don't charge as much as something that I still know about but would take me a little longer.

2) What sort of formatting and extras does the client want? Do they want straight articles with little formatting or do they want HTML, wordpress posting, etc.

3) How many words/ongoing work possibility?

Overall I charge around .02 per word for blog posts or a flat $15 for 500-600 words depending on the topic and the client.

[sherryy]

This isn't meant with any disrespect to the former poster, but I would charge a little more if you think you're worth it.

Of course, if you need the work, you have to keep that in mind, too.

I split my time between direct-order clients on Textbroker and one large private client. Right now, my work ranges between .0475 & .10/word. Because I don't outsource, I end up turning work away even at those rates.

However, I recently found out that my private client also uses a SEO company for certain things. He's in the UK, and they charge him 50 GBP plus VAT for the same thing I charge him about $26 for - that's about $95 using today's exchange rate.

So, even at around .085/word ($26 for an approx. 300 word product description with meta data & SEO), I'm a bargain.

You can always price a little high and say it's negotiable depending on how hard you actually find the work to be. It's always easier to lower your rates than to raise them with an established client.

[beanandpumpkin]

It really depends. From what I've read on the forum, my rates are on the high side... but my clients pay them, so, I guess they're not too high. Some potential clients say "no thanks," but that's fine too. I guess if I were starting now, I would begin with a low rate (2 cents?) to start, then as I got more clients and gained more experience, I'd raise my rates for the newbies. It kind of depends on how much experience you have and also how much you need the work... during a "famine," I'd be much more likely to work for a lower rate. When I'm busy, my rates might go up a bit (for new clients) because I know I can afford to be selective. KWIM?

[JennWith2Ns]

Okay thanks! I will make sure I mention the possibility for negotiation. It's hard knowing I really want the job and don't want to charge too much, but not too little either.

[jwinter]

I would charge more but I can't wait for a client that would pick up the rate. I have to charge what would make sure I get the client, don't overwork myself, make a decent hourly rate and would put food on the table and pay the bills. I don't feel disrespected at all. Just explaining why I charge what I do.

I don't have anything to really supplement. It's me and only me doing this. My bills are around $2200 a month. As much as I would love to charge more it is hard when you don't have a higher paying client to find one. It is much easier, or at least it was for me, to figure out what I could in an hour, what I needed in a hour to meet my monthly bills and what was realistic for me to do. For example, I can't work full time (i.e. 40 or more hours a week). I have a fiance that is national guard and a law enforcement officer. He is moving in with me shortly so that takes up time. I am a primary caregiver to a family member who can not afford in home nursing care or a senior community environment. Since I have a CNA and HHA its cheaper for me to care for her but that is full time right there. I have about 20-30 hours a week I can devote to bills and working.

I guess when it comes down to it for me I can knock out 3 articles, 500 words each, quality driven, etc in an hour. That usually means I get between $10 - $15 an hour. Now, I don't know about other people and I get charging more than 2 to 3 cents a word but I'm cool with my $100 a day for 10 articles at less than 5 hours of work. *shrugs* I don't think its about per word so much as what do you want to see per hour.

[sherryy]

JWinter - I get it. We all have to do what we have to do.

I have another job IRL, too. That makes it easier to be choosy.

I could not consistently write 3 blog posts an hour. The only way for me to make this work is to charge more.

And, I've been extremely lucky with finding sites and clients that pay really well.

[maryalene]

Is this just an individual with a website or is it an actual company? I have found that even good small private clients tend to balk at more than $15-$25 per blog post. However, corporate and non-profit clients are often willing to pay anywhere from $50-$75. Something to keep in mind when bidding!